Holder for spackling apparatus

ABSTRACT

A holder for a spackling apparatus holds the handle of a spackle hawk. The holder comprises a clip, a base and a cylinder. The clip is proximately disposed on the base and clips onto a user&#39;s attire, and the cylinder is disposed on the base. The cylinder can be canted forward or rearward. The base contains a detent for accepting an edge of the spackle hawk. The length of the base can be adjusted to align the detent with the edge of the spackle hawk. The holder is secured to the user&#39;s leg via a tie down strap and fastening device. A tape holder and a putty knife holder are disposed on the base for holding a roll of tape and a putty knife, respectively. The base of the holder for a spackling apparatus is curved to fit to the curvature of a user&#39;s leg.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefits of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/553,427 filed on Mar. 16, 2004, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure generally relates to a holder for a spackling apparatus. In particular, the disclosure relates to an apparatus for hanging onto the clothing of a user and for holding the handle of a spackle hawk to provide the user with a place to put the spackle hawk when it is not being used, especially when the user is on or is climbing a ladder.

A spackle hawk is generally a twelve inch by twelve inch square with a handle protruding from its center and is used to hold spackle to assist the user when applying the spackle to drywall. A craftsman holds a spackle hawk in one hand and holds a putty knife in his other hand. In operation, the putty knife is dipped into the wet spackle on the spackle hawk and is then applied to the drywall to cover the seams between different sheets of drywall (often covered with drywall tape) and exposed nails or screws. Spackle hawks are designed so they can be placed down on a flat surface and allow the wet spackle resting on its top to remain in place and not run off. This spackle hawk design feature allows craftsmen to put the spackle hawk down when it is not in use, without the need for removing wet spackle.

It is common practice for craftsmen to apply spackle to drywall while standing on a ladder or while wearing a special type of stilts since both ceilings and upper portions of walls require spackling. This practice, however, can be difficult and very time consuming even for the most experienced professional. Not only is it difficult to climb a ladder while holding a spackle hawk in one hand and a putty knife in the other hand, but once atop the ladder, there is no logical place to put the spackle hawk down. The spackle hawk can be placed on the top extended rung of the ladder, but this is not practical since it will decrease the craftsman's mobility and he can easily knock it over. Further, it is often the case that a spackle hawk will not even fit on the top rung of a ladder. Thus, the craftsman is forced to try to maintain his balance when he applies spackle to the drywall while both of his hands are full. Ideally, the craftsman would have at least one free hand to help him maintain his balance, perhaps by holding onto the ladder, the wall or the ceiling.

As an alternative to using a ladder, craftsmen occasionally wear stilts to speed up the process of hanging and spackling drywall to ceilings and upper portions of walls. Employing traditional methods of spackling drywall while wearing stilts, the craftsman holds the spackle hawk in one hand and the putty knife in their other hand. This method leads to similar balancing problems that are experienced by craftsmen on ladders, as the stilt wearers do not have any free hands to hold onto anything or to otherwise maintain their balance.

A technique employed when hanging and spackling drywall is to apply a special drywall tape in between two panels of drywall, covering the seam. The tape is then spackled over and a smooth finish is created. The processes of taping and spackling are typically done to each of the seams created by the sheets of drywall. These processes, however, can not be done without the craftsman having to put down the roll of tape and then picking up the spackle hawk. This results in inefficiency on the job site, especially when the craftsman is on a ladder or on stilts and has to come down or remove the stilts in between each step.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to a holder for a spackling apparatus, sometimes referred to as a spackle hawk. The holder for a spackling apparatus is adapted to hook onto a user's belt, pants, or tool belt and to hold the handle portion of a spackle hawk while enabling the top surface of the spackle hawk to remain in a position where the spackle will not run off. The use of the holder for a spackling apparatus provides the user with a free hand to assist with balance or to hold another tool.

The holder for a spackling apparatus comprises a base, a clip, and a cylinder. The clip is proximately disposed on the base and clips onto the user's belt or pants, and the cylinder is distally disposed on the base and is angled away from the base. In operation, the user places the clip onto his belt and places the handle of the spackle hawk into the cylinder. The spackle hawk, loaded with spackle, is positioned in the spackle hawk holder in such a way the spackle will not run off of the spackle hawk. The user can now climb a ladder with a free hand to help maintain his balance. The user can now either remove the spackle hawk from its holder, or he can leave the spackle hawk in the holder when he applies the spackle to the putty knife and when he applies the spackle from the putty knife to the wall or ceiling.

The cylinder can have one open end or two open ends. In the embodiment where there is only one open end of the cylinder, the closed end is closest to the base and is for removably holding a handle of a spackle hawk inserted into the open end of the cylinder. In the embodiment where the cylinder has two open ends, a leg may extend from the base to help secure a handle of a spackle hawk within the cylinder.

The cylinder is positioned such that it forms an angle with respect to the body portion of the holder for a spackling apparatus. This angle is preferably in the range of 0°-60°, and is more preferably equal to 45°.

In one embodiment, the cylinder can be canted forward and rearward with respect to the plane of the base. In this embodiment, the user can cant the cylinder towards his front or towards his rear, with the pivot point being the point where the cylinder meets the base. An advantage of this embodiment is that the user may wear the holder away from his side, closer to either his front or his back. If the handle is worn at his front, he can cant the cylinder back towards his side, thus providing a comfortable work surface. If the user prefers to clip the handle onto the back of his belt, for instance, he can cant the cylinder forward towards his side to create a work surface that suits his needs.

The holder for a spackling apparatus may also include a detent on the base. This detent is located at a position where the edge of the surface of the spackle hawk contacts the base. The detent would secure the lip of the spackle hawk in place.

The length of the base portion determines the height where the spackle hawk will rest. This height must be both comfortable for the user when wearing the apparatus and it must be at such a height and angle to enable the spackle compound to remain on the surface of the spackle hawk. This length can be adjusted by the user to allow for maximum comfort and so the edge of the spackle hawk can rest in a detent of the base.

In one embodiment, a tie down strap is incorporated. The strap can be distally disposed on the base portion or it can remain unattached as a separate piece. The strap loops around the holder for spackling apparatus and around a user's leg and removably attaches to itself. Any typical fastening device can be employed, including but not limited to, Velcro™, snaps, a button, and clips. The strap can also be tied to itself without the use of a fastening device. This secures the holder to the user's leg, thus preventing unwanted movement of the holder and a possible spill of the spackle on the surface of the spackle hawk.

In a particularly useful embodiment, a tape hook is disposed on and protrudes from the base and is for holding a roll of tape. A lip is disposed on the end of the tape hook to prevent a roll of tape from sliding off the holder for spackling apparatus. In this embodiment, a craftsman can efficiently tape and apply spackle to drywall.

It is also envisioned for the holder for spackling apparatus to include a putty knife holder. A putty knife holder can be comprised of a ring extending from the base. A putty knife can be inserted into the ring, with its handle facing downward and the blade portion facing upwards.

In one embodiment, the base has a curved shape which is designed to conform to the shape of the leg of a user. Such a curved base decreases the movement of the spackle hawk when a user is walking or climbing. Further, such an embodiment provides greater comfort for the user.

An alternate embodiment for a holder for spackling apparatus is also disclosed. The holder for spackling apparatus in this embodiment is designed to hook onto a user's pants, belt or pocket and contains a pair of jaws to accept an edge of the top surface of a spackle hawk while enabling the top surface to remain in a position where the spackle will not run off. In this embodiment, the holder for spackling apparatus holds a spackle hawk in a cantilevered manner. The distance between the two jaws is slightly greater than the thickness of the top surface of a spackle hawk. This distance can range from 1/64″ to ¼″, preferably between 1/16″ and ⅛″. This embodiment is configured and dimensioned to support a maximum load of spackle compound thereon. In this embodiment, the two jaws can be substantially of the same length or the lower jaw can be longer than the upper jaw.

BRIEF DESCRIPTON OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the disclosure are described herein with reference to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the holder for a spackling apparatus of the disclosure;

FIGS. 2-4 are front views of the holder for a spackling apparatus of the disclosure showing the cylinder canted in various positions;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a holder for a spackling apparatus of the disclosure showing an open cylinder, a detent on the base and a putty knife holder;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a holder for a spackling apparatus of the disclosure showing a closed cylinder and a detent on the base;

FIG. 7 is a side view of a holder for a spackling apparatus of the disclosure showing an open cylinder and a tape holder;

FIG. 8 is a side view of a holder for a spackling apparatus of the disclosure showing a closed cylinder and a tape holder;

FIG. 9 is a perspective, in situ view of the holder for a spackling apparatus of the disclosure;

FIGS. 10-11 are side views of an alternate embodiment of a holder for a spackling apparatus;

FIG. 12 is a front view of an alternate embodiment of a holder for a spackling apparatus; and

FIG. 13 is a perspective, in situ view of an alternate embodiment of a holder for a spackling apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings in detail, FIGS. 1-13 illustrate a holder for a spackling apparatus, generally referred to by reference numeral 50, for holding a spackle hawk 52 therein as described hereinafter. In the drawings and in the descriptions which follow, the term “proximal,” as is traditional, will refer to the end of the holder for spackling apparatus 50 which is closer to the user, while the term “distal” will refer to the end which is farther from the user. Further, in the descriptions which follow, the term “spackle” is used, but joint compound or any other substance used with a spackle hawk can be substituted in place of the spackle.

The holder for a spackling apparatus 50 includes a base 54, a clip 56, and a cylinder 58. The clip 56 is proximally located on the base 54 and is for hanging over pants 62 or a belt 64 of a user 66 (see FIG. 9). The cylinder 58 is distally located on the base 54 and is for holding a handle 60 of spackle hawk 52. The inside diameter of cylinder 58 is slightly greater than the outside diameter of handle 60, thus enabling the handle 60 to snugly and removably fit into cylinder 58. The angle α that cylinder 58 forms with base 54 determines whether spackle 70 on top of the spackle hawk 52 will remain in place or if it will run off. This angle α can be between 0° and 60° and is preferably 45°.

Now referring to FIG. 2-4, the front view of the holder for a spackling apparatus 50 is shown. FIGS. 3 and 4 show the front view of the holder for a spackling apparatus 50 where the cylinder 58 is angularly deviated from vertical plane A-A. In FIG. 3, the cylinder 58 is shown canted towards the left and FIG. 4 shows the cylinder 58 canted towards the right. These embodiments allow the user greater flexibility in positioning the spackle hawk 52 within the holder for a spackling apparatus 50.

Now referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a perspective view of the holder for a spackling apparatus is shown. FIG. 5 shows the holder for a spackling apparatus 50 with an open cylinder 58 a (i.e., open at both ends). This embodiment also has an arm 72 protruding from a distal portion 55 of base 54 below the open cylinder 58 a. In this embodiment, the handle 60 of a spackle hawk 52 is inserted into the open cylinder 58 a, and is kept in place around its perimeter by the open cylinder 58 a and at its distal end where it contacts base 54 and arm 72.

A putty knife holder 90 is also depicted in FIG. 5. The putty knife holder 90 extends from the base 54 and, in the embodiment illustrated, is made up of a ring 91. A putty knife 94 (illustrated in FIG. 9) can be removably held within an opening created by the ring 91 of the putty knife holder 90. It is also envisioned for the putty knife holder 90 to be comprised of two arms configured and dimensioned to allow the handle of a putty knife 94 to fit through while providing a surface for the blade of the putty knife 94 to rest on. A lip can also be distally disposed on each arm to help ensure the putty knife 94 does not fall from the arms.

FIG. 6 depicts the holder for a spackling apparatus 50 with a closed cylinder 58 b (i.e., closed at the end closest to the base and open at the opposite end). In this embodiment, the handle 60 of the spackle hawk 52 is inserted into the closed cylinder 58 b and is held in place via the contact made with the inside of the closed cylinder 58 b. Therefore, the arm 72 shown in FIG. 5 is not necessary in the embodiment with the closed cylinder 58 b.

FIGS. 5 and 6 also depict a detent 59 proximally disposed on base 54 of holder for a spackling apparatus 50. Detent 59 is for coming into contact with and for providing an edge 82 of spackle hawk 52 a place to rest while in use (shown in FIG. 9). Detent 59 restricts unwanted movement of the spackle hawk 52, thus allowing for easier use of the holder for a spackling apparatus 50. Further, length of base 54 can be adjusted such that the detent 59 lines up with the edge 82 of the spackle hawk 52.

Now referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, side views of the holder for a spackling apparatus 50 are shown including a tape holder 74. FIG. 7 shows the holder for a spackling apparatus 50 with an open cylinder 58 a, arm 72 and tape holder 74 disposed below arm 72. Tape holder 74 protrudes from the distal portion 55 of base 54 and is for holding a roll of tape 78 (shown in FIG. 9). In a particularly useful embodiment, a lip 76 is disposed on a distal end of the tape holder 74 for preventing a roll of tape 78 from sliding off the tape holder 74. FIG. 8 shows the holder for a spackling apparatus 50 with a closed cylinder 58 b and tape holder 74, with no arm. In this embodiment, the tape holder 74 protrudes from the closed cylinder 58 b. It is also envisioned for the holder for a spackling apparatus 50 to could contain a closed cylinder 58 b, an arm 72 and the tape holder 74 disposed below the arm 72.

Now referring to FIG. 9, a perspective, in situ view of the holder for a spackling apparatus 50 is shown with a spackle hawk 52 inserted therein. Generally, spackle hawks contain a handle 60 and a top surface 80 for holding spackle 70. The top surface 80 is generally a square shape that is approximately 12″×12″ and may contain a lip on at least one end (not shown) for preventing spackle 70 from slipping off. The handle 60 is generally 5½″ long and has a 1⅞″ diameter. User 66 is shown wearing the holder for a spackling apparatus 50 in accordance with the present disclosure. The clip 56 is placed over the user's pants 62 or belt 64. A tie down strap 84 is wrapped around the user's leg 86 and is secured to itself by a fastening device 88. Tie down strap 84 and fastening device 88 are used to keep the holder for a spackling apparatus 50 from moving as it otherwise might when a user 66 walks, climbs, bends or otherwise moves. The fastening device 88 shown is a clip, but other types of fastening devices may be contemplated by a person ordinarily skilled in the art without substantially deviating from the concept and principles of the present disclosure. It is also contemplated not to use any fastening device and to tie the tie down strap 84 to itself (not shown). Cylinder 58 is then canted to its proper position. Next, the handle 60 of spackle hawk 52 is placed into the cylinder 58. Length of base 54 is adjusted to align edge 82 of spackle hawk 52 with detent 59 of base 54. A roll of tape 78 is then placed on tape holder 74. A putty knife 94 is placed on the putty knife holder 90. The user 66 is now ready to climb a ladder and begin spackling.

Now referring to FIG. 10, a side view of an alternate embodiment of a holder for a spackling apparatus is shown and is generally referred to by reference numeral 100. The alternate embodiment of the holder for a spackling apparatus 100 includes a clip 102 for hooking onto a belt, pocket, or pants or a user, an upper jaw 104 and a lower jaw 106. The clip 102 comprises an inner leg 108 and an outer leg 110. The distance between upper jaw 104 and lower jaw 106 is slightly larger than the thickness of top surface 80 of a spackle hawk 52 and is between 1/64″ to ¼″, preferably between 1/16″ and ⅛″. This distance enables a spackle hawk 52 to be securely held in a cantilevered position between upper jaw 104 and lower jaw 106.

Now referring to FIG. 11, the alternate embodiment of the holder for a spackling apparatus 100 is shown in another configuration. In this configuration, outer leg 110 of clip 102 is a shorter length than inner leg 108. When apparatus 100 is loaded with a spackle hawk 52, the weight of spackle hawk 52 will push inner leg 108 of clip 102 into the user 66. In this configuration, outer leg 110 of clip 102 supports upper and lower jaws 104, 106.

FIG. 11 also depicts the lower jaw 106 longer than upper jaw 104. This allows for extra support of spackle hawk 52, especially when it is fully loaded with spackle compound 70. The length of lower jaw 106 cannot be too long however, or it may interfere with the user 66 or with the handle 60 of spackle hawk 52.

Now referring to FIG. 12, a front view of an alternate embodiment of the holder for a spackling apparatus 100 is shown where the width of outside leg 110 is dimensioned and configured to approximately fit the curve of a user's leg. When in use, the increased surface of the outside leg 110 comes into contact with a larger portion of a user's leg and results in less unwanted movement of the holder for a spackling apparatus 100 and spackle hawk 52. This configuration also shows a tape holder 112 protruding from outside leg 110 for holding a roll of tape 78. Tape holder 112 contains a lip 114 for securing a roll of tape 78.

FIG. 13 shows a perspective, in situ, view of the embodiment of the holder for a spackling apparatus 100 of FIG. 12. The holder for a spackling apparatus 100 is shown hooked over a user's pocket 116. It is also contemplated that the holder 100 can be hooked over a user's pants or belt. Inner leg 108 of clip 102 is positioned inside of pocket 116 and outer leg 110 rests outside of pocket 116 on user's leg 86.

Upper jaw 104 and lower jaw 106 are proximally located on outer leg 110 of clip 102 for accepting an edge 82 of top surface 80 of spackle hawk 52. Holder for a spackling apparatus 100 is configured and dimensioned to hold a spackle hawk 52 with a maximum load of spackle compound 70 thereon. Lower jaw 106 is shown with a longer length than upper jaw 104 for providing additional support to spackle hawk 52.

While the above description contains many specifics, these specifics should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the disclosure, but merely as exemplifications of preferred embodiments thereof. For example, it is envisioned that a roll of tape can be held by a putty knife holder. It is also envisioned that the holder for spackling apparatus can be designed to hold several putty knifes. It is further envisioned that the holder for spackling apparatus can be designed to hold a drywall sanding device. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto. 

1. An apparatus for holding a spackle hawk including: a base having a length, the base defining a vertical plane; a clip which removably attaches to a user, the clip being proximally disposed on the base; and a cylinder which removably secures a handle of a spackle hawk, the cylinder having at least one open end and being disposed on the base at an angle.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the end of the cylinder closest to the base is closed.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a leg disposed on a portion of the base that is farther distal than the cylinder, the leg helps to secure a handle of a spackle hawk within the cylinder.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the angle between the base and the cylinder is between 0° and 60°.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the angle between the base and the cylinder is 45°.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cylinder is oriented in a canted position with respect to the vertical plane.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cylinder can be selectively canted with respect to the vertical plane.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a detent disposed on the base, the detent for providing support for an edge of a top surface of a spackle hawk.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a tape holder extending from the base, the tape holder for holding a roll of tape.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 further including a lip on the tape holder for maintaining a roll of tape on the tape holder.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the length of the base is adjustable.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a strap for securing the apparatus to a user.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a device for holding a putty knife.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base having an arcuate shape for substantially conforming to the shape of a user's leg.
 15. An apparatus for holding a spackle hawk including: a base having a length; a first clip which removably attaches to a user, the clip being proximally disposed on the base; and a second clip which removably holds a surface of a spackle hawk, the second clip extending from the base and having an upper jaw and a lower jaw.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the upper jaw and the lower jaw are substantially the same length.
 17. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the lower jaw is longer than the upper jaw.
 18. The apparatus of claim 15 further including a tape holder extending from the base, the tape holder for holding a roll of tape.
 19. The apparatus of claim 15 further including a device for holding a putty knife.
 20. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the base having an arcuate shape for substantially conforming to the shape of a user's leg. 